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<br />Message: Data are necessary <br />1) To measure the extent of a problem based on data and not on personal <br />observations. <br />2) To determine if education mitigates or has any positive effect on behavior. <br />3) To have data available to present to NCDOT, which bases many of its <br />decisions for infrastructure improvements on data. (If there is no collection of <br />data, then proposed projects may score poorly.) <br />Target audiences: Transportation planners, Board of County Commissioners (BOCC), <br />overseers of BSTF implementation, NCDOT, law enforcement, EMT services <br />Safety benefits: NCDOT is more likely to respond to a request for road safety <br />improvements if data can be amassed to show the need and support for it. If county <br />funds are being used to implement safety programs, data will provide taxpayers and <br />the elected officials with information about the effectiveness of the use of those funds. <br /> <br /> <br />IV. Safety Equipment for Cyclists <br />Problem: Cyclists who cannot be seen are a danger to themselves and to motorists. <br />Some cyclists may be unaware of the laws requiring lights. Many non-recreational <br />bicyclists ride at night, making safety equipment for night riding especially important. <br />For some, the cost of lights and helmets may be a hardship. New laws that went into <br />effect in October 2016 require a front light, plus a rear light or reflective clothing in <br />addition to a rear reflector. Also, parents and cyclists need to be aware of the law <br />requiring helmets on anyone younger than 16 years of age. <br />Goals: <br />A. To strive to make all cyclists aware of the laws, to strive to have all bikes used at <br />night equipped with required lights and reflectors, and to strive to have all children <br />under 16 wearing helmets. <br />B. To recommend best practices including use of lights during the day, wearing <br />brightly colored clothing, and use of helmets for all ages. <br />C. To make cyclists aware of the importance of being visible to others. <br />Message: Cyclists must equip their bikes as state law requires for lights and reflectors <br />when riding at night, and cyclists must be seen to be safe. <br />Target audience: Primary: cyclists; secondary: bike shops <br />Safety benefit: Visibility is a key component of safety. Cyclists must be visible to other <br />road users at night. Helmet use has been shown in some studies to prevent or lessen <br />head injuries. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />V. Education and Safety around Large Groups of Riders <br /> 71